For starters don’t get all stupefied over this news yet because Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is just a HD remaster of the original Gears of War, which was released on the PC in 2007. From what I remember it wasn’t the greatest Xbox port ever, but it was also far from the worst one too.

Earlier today, when I first heard the E3 announcement from developer Coalition (Gears of War 4), I was dreaming Ultimate Edition would be a bundle of all the sequels on the PC. I honestly got carried away for a second since it still sounds like Microsoft is keeping a tight grip on all Gears of War sequels for Xbox exclusivity. Maybe at a later date, Microsoft will have a change of heart when Windows 10 comes out.

But for now, I’ll live with the Ultimate Edition because it’s expected to have a host of new improvements, including a multiplayer overhaul based on Gears of War 3 multiplayer. Plus, if your PC rig is extremely beefy, you’ll be able to play it at 4K resolution.

There’s no date set for the release of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on the PC, but the Xbox One will have a head start on August 25, 2015.

Facebook’s Oculus Rift isn’t the only giant in the virtual reality world anymore. In the next year or so, expect to see many more VR headsets come to fruition, like Sony’s new Morpheus project and Microsoft’s Hololens. It’s a phenomenon that’s definitely going to take shape very soon and take the gaming industry by storm.

The newest VR headset, Vive, was just announced this week from Valve, and HTC is another impressive VR product that might hit the market in the very near future. Many industry leaders are already impressed by the first hands-on demonstration. In fact, some even believe Valve has taken the lead in the VR arms race with it.

Someone particularly enthusiastic about Vive is Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinksi. During a panel for his new free-to-play PC shooter at PAX East in Boston, Bleszinksi expressed his thoughts about virtual reality and told audiences that he is blown away by the technology:

I felt like the first time I went to Disneyland. It was absolutely magical.

In the past, Bleszinksi didn’t believe virtual reality would become a dominant, ubiquitous platform overnight. But now, it sounds like he has had a change of heart for VR, thanks to Vive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTITJSSRUso

On a last note, Valve plans to release Vive’s Lighthouse technology (a bit of technology that improves the headset’s accuracy) as a freely licensable standard that other VR manufacturers will be able to use.

Since Microsoft purchased the Gear of Wars franchise from Epic Games earlier this years, some fans, like myself, feared that Microsoft may attempt to make changes in the upcoming shooter. What we’re afraid of is a change in the feel and the gameplay that the series pioneered back in 2006.

Well, we’ve got some good news for you today, which should ease your mind. Developer Black Tusk Studios just revealed that Gears of War 5 will stay true to the core essence of the series, according to producer Rod Fergusson:

With Black Tusk, we have to show that we have a legitimate claim to this IP and be able to show we know how to do it right before we do it differently. There are some things that even though people try to copy us, we don’t think they’ve nailed. I think the cover system, there’s a feel to a Gears of War game that I’ve yet to find in another game where it feels the same. Whether it’s the fluidity, the weight, the heaviness to the characters, the way that it feels like to be in cover, the roadie run character, those sorts of things.

As far as story elements go, Fergusson still hasn’t dropped any details on that, however, he did hint the previous entries left a lot of open room in the timeline and many unanswered questions that Gears of War 5 could potentially tackle.

There’s lots of stuff, backstory from the E Day, Pendulum Wars all the way to Gears 3, there’s a lot of room in there, but I don’t know if that’s the place to go. I think there’s lots of other places to go as well.

There’s no word yet on when Gears of War 5 will be officially released, but it sounds like it will be an Xbox One exclusive that could revitalize the franchise. And give gamers more of a reason to purchase the next-gen console.

“You can’t stop the train, baby!” Expect to hear those words again from “Cole Train”, a successful hard-hitting Trashball player who appeared in the previous entries of Gears of War could be returning in the upcoming sequel.

According to Lester Speight, the main actor who voiced Augustus “Cole Train” in GOW was quick to reveal a few days ago via Twitter that he’s been approached to reprise his role.

@MistaPeerez: @lesterspeight have you gotten a call about a new gears? You have to reprise your role! #whoobaby” “Yup!”

That’s right! “Cole Train” is the very first character that we know of so far that should be returning in GOW, unless Speight’s is trying to pull a fast one here on his friends. My best bet it’s definitely true, and it shouldn’t be too long before Black Tusk Studios officially reveals a few more characters, including “Cole Train”.

Unfortunately, the news stop right here because nothing else has emerged on GOW, the game wasn’t even showcased during E3. The last we heard is that it’s in development at Black Tusk, and they will try to stay true to GOW canon for its new game.

First, Gears of War is the crappiest deal ever from Microsoft on Xbox Live, even if they’re offering to give it away for free next month. It’s so fragging old! At this point, I personally think they should be giving away the entire series, including bonus points for a new game. Unfortunately, Microsoft isn’t me and they will never be that generous.

Secondly, the deal isn’t for everyone, which should be. You actually need to be an Xbox Live Gold member, so it’s not entirely free either.

As part of Microsoft’s Games With Gold promotion, between December 1st and 16th you can download the game from Xbox Live. And starting from December 16th until the end of the month, you can also download Shoot Many Robots for free.

That’s the stellar deal in December. Exciting, isn’t it?

“Crysis 3 is absolutely maxing out the consoles,” Yerli said. “There is absolutely not even 1 percent left. No game will ever look technically better than Crysis 3 on these consoles, flat out. Most games are not even anywhere near Crysis 2 technically. I’m not talking about art style–art is subjective–but the pure fact of what we have been cramming in with Crysis 2 on Xbox [360] and PlayStation [3], I’ve yet to see a game do that still today.”

According to Yerli, Crysis 3 will blow the lids off the Gears of War and Halo franchise in terms of the level of detail the game will offer on February 19, 2013, which he claims is far superior.

“Any day I will take a battle against Gears and Halo, whatever, the amount of data we put in and the detail level is far superior,” Yerli said. “With Crysis 3, we’re pushing that to another level, but the PC is just two levels beyond.”

Since most games still can’t even touch Crysis 2 techincally, I personally don’t have a hard time believing him and I’m confident that Crysis 3 will indeed raise the benchmark again for video game developers to reach in the future.

Anyhow, I’m curious to know your thoughts about this game, so don’t hesitate to drop us a comment below.

Crysis 3 Screenshot

Epic Games’ celebrated series comes to a close with the recently released Gears Of War 3. Does the saga end on a high note with Marcus Fenix and Co. walking off into the sunset, heading toward further adventures down the line? Or is this Gear the runt of the assembly line, all bumps and odd corners and in serious need of oiling?

Gears Of War is the franchise that made war-time bromance a main storytelling point and introduced cries of “Chainsaw, chainsaw, chainsaw, fucking chainsaw!” to the gamer lexicon. Speaking of which, I’d like to congratulate Epic Games on finally finishing the assassination job that World Of Warcraft started long ago on my ear canals. Years of guild raids spent listening to the bitchy cries of prepubescent little snots rolled the ball halfway up the hill and I’ll be damned if the preteen bastards playing Gears Of War 3 online didn’t finally push that sucker all the way over the top. I’m not as young as I used to be, damn it! My ear canals are as brittle as the rest of me!

Actual file photo of TheMatt.

In any case, here is Yell! Magazine’s review of Gears Of War 3, available exclusively for Xbox 360. Accordingly, the 360 version was used for review purposes, along with a decent pair of ear muffs and a phone book opened to the murder-for-hire section. What? I only put out hits on the really screechy kids or the ones that overuse the damn chainsaw like they get a free blowjob with each kill.

Fuck you, *wazzupbitches666*!!!

Oh, and the heavy mouth breathers. Can’t stand those. Like I wanna hear your porno movie mouth noises when I’m getting my game on…

The Story

Capping off a trilogy is tricky business. There’s an undeniable desire to sprint to the finish. Gears Of War feels a bit like this, with a pretty straightforward story peppered here and there with admittedly awesome set pieces. While some could argue that storytelling has never been Gears of Wars’ strong suit, that the series relies more on gameplay than long diatribes on the horrors of war, the third entry features the franchise’s usual wartime melodrama. Soldiers die, civilians get butchered, and people will stop to ponder the philosophical implications of the ashen remains of innocents burned in nuclear fire. It’s business as usual for this series.

While I’m admittedly jaded from viewing a ton of war movies growing up, watching Gears Of War recycle the same clichés over and over again is starting to wear thin. Luckily, as with previous titles in the series, it’s the characters and their respective voice actors that end up making the game’s plot worthwhile.

The Dirty Half-Dozen

As usual, main character Marcus Fenix makes for a gruff but strangely admirable hero. Sidekick Dominic is still along for the ride and his eventual fate should come as no surprise to veteran players since the character as been heading down this path since Gears Of War 2. Story wise, Gears of War 3 does everything the final chapter in a series should: The combined threat of the Lambent and Locust are defeated, long-running characters get proper sendoffs, subplots are tied up nicely and there’s a nicely emotional feel to the game’s final scenes that, while hinting at further games down the line, still allows for the franchise to rest in peace knowing full well it did its job and did it well.

Read about the Gears of War 3 gameplay, presentation, and verdict after the jump…

Yell! Rating (x/5 Skulls):

[rating:4.5]

Published by:

Microsoft Studios

Developed by:

Epic Games

Year Released:

20 September 2011

Also Available On:

Xbox 360, PC

Genre:

Third-Person Shooter

Official URL:

Gears of War 3

Top 10 Video Game Movies That Need To Be Made

Gamers have an odd relationship with movies based on video games. On the one hand, the thought of some Hollywood ace adapting our beloved characters for the big screen should be cause for celebration. On the other, well, just try to mention Uwe Boll to any gamer and watch him foam at the mouth. And let me tell you, it’s not happy foaming. It’s pure, unbridled hatred and rage at how the jewels of the video game industry get treated by movie makers. When all you can do is point to 1995’s Mortal Kombat and say: “Yeah, that one wasn’t so bad,” you know there’s a significant dearth of quality movies based on video games.

The problem is twofold. Firstly, much like many of the comic book films, there is a general lack of respect from film makers toward the original material. Sure, the game is loved by millions, has mass appeal, sold like hotcakes, and has a well-established world and characters… but let’s ignore all of that in favor of our vision. After all, we’re artists, they’re just video game makers, what do they know? Secondly, out of all the games turned into movies thus far, roughly 95% had very little story to speak of. Mortal Kombat? Fighter histories and motivations does not a movie make. Super Mario Bros.? Mario needs to save Princess Peach. Simple, yet they still managed to fuck that up. Resident Evil? They got the action right, but this is not a franchise known for its witty banter.

However, these faults describe the previous generation of movies based on video games. Since video games have become more and more cinematic, the next generation promises to be something totally different. And, for a change, Hollywood is finally taking a stab at adapting video games with actual plots, massive amounts of dialogue, and fully-developed characters with histories that go beyond “bad guy killed my (insert significant other here) so I’m entering this martial arts tournament to get revenge” cliché.

So, my faithful readers*, without further ado, here is Yell! Magazine’s Top 10 List Of Movies Based On Video Games That Need To Be Made, along with rumors, castings, potential pitfalls, and all the reasons why these films would kick ass.

*Except for that one reader who totally cheated on me with IGN. You know who you are. Bastard.

No.10 Uncharted

The plot:

Wise-ass adventurer Nathan Drake goes hunting for fabulous treasures all around the world with his sidekick and beautiful love interest(s) in tow. Huge amounts of cliff-climbing, spelunking, and gunfights ensue. Fun is had by all.

Why it could work:

Nathan Drake is Indiana Jones. And people love Indy. Hell, they even loved geriatric Indy. Drake is an easy-going hero, flippant but loyal and brave to a fault. With the correct handsome leading man he’ll easily appeal to a large demographic. Toss in some tomb raiding, complete with a series of traps still well-oiled after hundreds of years for some reason, a plucky reporter tagging along for some romantic sparks, marinate with some explosions and a treasure that ends up having a supernatural component, shake well and voila! Blockbuster!

Why it might not work:

It’s all about the acting. Casting is going to be key for this movie. If you choose actors devoid of chemistry for the roles of Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher, people won’t buy into their relationship. Drake is a wiseass with a heart of gold, imperfect casting would completely undermine the character’s charm.

Who should be involved:

Uncharted fans were in an uproar when Mark Wahlberg was announced as Nathan Drake a few months ago, soon followed by his “The Fighter” director David O. Russell. Online petitions were soon written up begging the studio to reconsider this. While Russell has the requisite action chops (Three Kings) to direct the movie, the dour, intense Wahlberg irked fans. Luckily, both men seem to have abandoned the project. In the minds of many fans, the perfect Nathan Drake would be Nathan Fillion. Not only does he resemble the character physically, but also his Captain Mal Reynolds on Firefly was essentially Nathan Drake… in space. A second possibility would be Josh Holloway from Lost, who might not look like the character but certainly possesses the right personality quirks required for the role.

Come on, Sony! They’re both named Nathan!

The potential:

A rip-roaring, summer action blockbuster capable of launching a movie franchise.

You’ll have to click through to find out what the other nine movies based on video games are…

Original “War Pigs” Song by Black Sabbath

For us it’s an excellent song choice since we are fans by nature and hardcore followers of Sabbath. Even Phil Anselmo from Pantera would gave a 110% approval on it without a doubt.

Now the time is here for you to watch the trailer, and tell us if you think “War Pigs” is a perfect song choice in the comment section below.

Interesting Gears of War 3 Fact

Microsoft and Epic Games previously announced Gears of War 3 surpassed one million worldwide pre-orders, making it the fastest pre-ordered Xbox exclusive title to reach this milestone in the history of the platform. Helping propel Gears of War 3 pre-orders worldwide, 1.29 million fans from more than 143 countries answered the call to join the public multiplayer beta, logging more than 249 years worth of gameplay over Xbox LIVE. – Source: gearsofwar.xbox.com

Get into the Beta by preordering Gears of War 3 through select retailers. The Beta begins April 25 and ends May 15.

For those of you who purchased the Bulletstorm Epic Edition (on Xbox 360 only), you get early access to the Beta, beginning April 18.

Three new multiplayer modes and four exclusive maps will be rolled out during the Beta period — all running on dedicated servers. This is your chance to help shape the most anticipated game of 2011.

In the Beta you can play Team Deathmatch mode on the four new maps (Thrashball, Checkout, Trenches, and Old Town); Capture the Leader and King of the Hill gameplay modes will be added later in the Beta period. Also, be sure to look out for a surprise event weekend that you won’t want to miss.

Not only will you get an early taste of the final chapter in this blockbuster trilogy, but you’ll also have access to exclusive content that you can permanently unlock and carry over to your Gears of War 3 gamer profile when the retail game launches on September 20, 2011.

Exclusive Beta Unlockables

– Flaming Hammerburst
Complete one match by Sunday, April 24 to permanently unlock.

– Flaming Lancer
Complete one match during the week of April 25 to permanently unlock.

– Flaming Sawed-Off Shotgun
Complete one match during the week of May 2 to permanently unlock.

– Flaming Gnasher Shotgun
Complete one match during the week of May 9 to permanently unlock.

– Beta Tester Medal — Wear it proudly, Gear.
Complete one match in the Beta to permanently unlock.

– Thrashball Cole
Unlock Thrashball Cole to play as Augustus Cole as he was before Emergence Day — a legendary Thrashball athlete known for his ferocious, flamboyant style.

Complete 50 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period.

To permanently unlock, complete 10 matches as Thrashball Cole during the Beta period.

– Gold-Plated Retro Lancer
Before the chainsaw bayonet was deployed at the beginning of the Locust-Human War, the original Lancer assault rifle had a large fixed blade.

Complete 90 matches in any game type to unlock for the Beta period.

To permanently unlock, score 100 kills with the Gold-Plated Retro Lancer during the Beta period.

Source: gearsofwar.xbox.com